More Christmas Woe

I guess the Grinch stole this Christmas after all, or I haven't noticed all of these crimes in the past.

What an evil Merry Christmas season this has turned out to be.

The bad part of all this is there was a 911 hang-up call, two call backs resulted in the phone going to voicemail and two deputies sent out found the gate locked and apparently left. I presume there will be some changes to police procedures as a result of this matter.

Victims' daughter arrested in Christmas Eve killings

By JANE McCARTHY / KING 5 News and Associated Press

CARNATION, Wash. - Two people were arrested Wednesday evening after the bodies of six people were found earlier in the day at a rural property east of Seattle, a sheriff's sergeant said.
One of two suspects in the slayings of six people near Carnation that occurred in the afternoon of Christmas Eve is the daughter of the oldest victims, police said.

Family members said the six victims are Wayne and Judy Anderson, who own the property, their adult son Scott Anderson and his wife Erica of Black Diamond, and their 6-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son.

The two suspects under arrest are Wayne and Judy's youngest daughter, 29-year-old Michelle Anderson, and her boyfriend who live on the property.
The pair came to the crime scene after investigators arrived there this morning, were questioned by investigators, then arrested shortly after 4 p.m.

Both were booked into the King County Jail Wednesday evening. Sources said both suspects admitted to the murders independently. There is no indication of drug or alcohol use and so far, the murder weapon has not been found.

Investigators had not determined a motive for the deaths, but a family member said there had been tension between Michelle and the family for years.

Mark Bennett, who identified himself as a family friend, said Wayne Anderson was a Boeing Co. engineer and Judy Anderson worked for the Post Office in Carnation.
Bennett said he used to run a coffee shop with another daughter, Mary, who lives in nearby North Bend. A son also lives in the area, he said.

Autopsies have not been performed on the bodies, but the cause of death was most likely gunshots, Urquhart said.
"All died from homicidal violence, most likely from gunshots," Urquhart said.

Sgt. Jim Laing says the bodies were discovered in the home about 8 a.m. by a co-worker of the eldest female victim, who worked at a post office. The co-worker went to the home when the usually reliable postal employee failed to show up for work.

Police say the bodies were discovered about 8 a.m. in a home in the 1800 block of 346th Avenue N.E.

The home is a large, older house on isolated property in the mostly rural area, located at the end of a dirt road. A mobile home is also located on the property.
Detectives searched outbuildings as well as the home. They towed away a black pickup truck sealed with evidence tape.

Urquhart said the bodies would likely remain at the crime scene until Thursday or Friday.
"Now we have to process the scene," he said.

Now there are serious questions about why police did not go into the house after a 911 hangup call was placed the night of the murders.

Police made two calls back to the residence, but both went to voicemail. When deputies arrived at the scene, the gate was locked. When deputies were unable to gain access, they left.

News of the killings spread quickly through Carnation, a small dairy farming community.
The property where the crime was committed is located in a rural development southeast of town.

Friends say the homeowners had been married for 38 years. The woman worked at the Carnation post office. She's known around town as a friendly mail carrier who goes the extra mile for customers.

"She's a real sweet gal – she always has a smile on her fact," said Carleen Doneen.
"She was a very good friend," said Carolyn Durand.

The man is a Boeing engineer who was looking forward to retirement.